What’s Coming to Universal Orlando Resort in 2024?
A new year typically means new offerings at your favorite theme park, and 2024 is no exception.
Here’s what’s coming to Universal Studios in 2024.
DreamWorks Land
Universal Studios Florida
Last year, Universal Studios announced the permanent closure of several theme park attractions.
They resided in an area of the park known as KidZone, and the implication was clear.
Universal had chosen to reclaim that space so that park officials could repurpose it into something more popular.
Photo: Universal
The location of KidZone should have enticed more traffic than it had claimed in recent years. In short, it was underachieving.
Since then, Universal has started construction on a replacement section that we now know is based on DreamWorks animation.
We’re talking about popular animated film franchises like Shrek, Trolls, and Kung Fu Panda.
Universal Studios Florida
Not coincidentally, Universal Pictures released new Shrek (well, Puss in Boots) and Trolls movies in 2022 and 2022.
In 2024, DreamWorks will reboot the Kung Fu Panda franchise with Kung Fu Panda 4.
The idea here is simple. Universal will mimic Disney’s long-standing practice of connecting children’s movies and shows to the theme parks.
Photo: laughing place.com
Universal most recently took this approach with the wildly successful Minion Land at Universal Studios Florida.
Later this year, Universal will take a similar approach with the DreamWorks themed land.
The themed land will combine character interactions with attractions.
Universal Studios Florida
We already know what some of those are, at least in theory.
Universal has been tightlipped about the additions, as has become its practice.
Photo: Universal Orlando
Remember how we could see the VelociCoaster’s construction during the pandemic, but Universal wouldn’t confirm it?
Still, the prevailing belief is that Universal will keep the core concept from Kidzone. It’ll just evolve with modern franchises.
Photo: Discover Universal orlando
Specifically, Universal closed the following attractions:
- Curious George Goes to Town
- DreamWorks Destination
- Fievel’s Playground
- Meet Shrek and Donkey
- Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster
Before that, Shrek 4-D had shut down, and Universal moved the Shrek interaction as well.
The Attractions Coming Soon
Photo: Universal
With all due respect to Woody Woodpecker, Fievel and Curious George, they aren’t exactly the hottest characters.
Meanwhile, Universal has done a reasonably good job of reinvigorating the DreamWorks brand in recent years.
For a long time – really, more than a decade – questions surrounded the long-term viability of the Shrek franchise.
Photo: Universal Orlando
The recent success of Puss in Boots – The Last Wish suggested that a new generation of fans have embraced these characters.
Now, Universal Studios plans to mine that success by introducing a new character interaction involving Shrek.
We’re talking about something a lot more detailed than Shrek standing outside or at a barn window, too.
Photo: Universal
Universal is currently building Shrek a house…in a swap.
Yes, theming will drive the entertainment at DreamWorks Land.
Guests will participate in several encounters with DreamWorks characters, and a Kung Fu Panda interaction sounds like a certainty.
Photo: Universal Orlando
Universal will mine this character’s popularity due to the fact that the film comes out in theaters in March.
The new themed land arrives three or four months after that, making Kung Fu Panda the hottest character of the moment.
Still, the star of the show will be the Trolls. I say this because Universal is currently re-theming the old coaster here.
The themed replacement will be named the…Trollercoaster.
Whether you love that name or hate it, that’s what they’re calling it.
Photo: DreamWorks
So, fans will ride the family-friendly junior roller coaster, hang out at Shrek’s Swamp and visit the hot DreamWorks characters of the moment.
We’re still lacking some key information regarding this themed land, but that’s what we know for now.
The New Show
Photo: Universal Orlando
Universal Studios Florida will bring back a nighttime presentation in 2024.
The old one ended in 2023, and I presume that the park construction factored into that decision.
Now that Universal has almost finished its renovations, it can bring back nighttime fun at the lagoon.
Photo: Orlando Sentinel
According to Screamscape, a new exhibition called CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular is in the offing.
We don’t know when it will open, and the site notes that Universal hasn’t filed to trademark that name yet.
Still, that’s what park insiders have told them is the plan.
Even if the name changes slightly – or a lot – it’ll still be a cinematic experience set against the water.
Also, Universal may add drones, which seems to be the direction the industry is heading with its nighttime extravaganzas.
Stay tuned to UniversalParksBlog to learn more about this show!
Special Mention
Okay, I’m not trying to cheat here, but I feel like I really ought to mention something else.
In a year and two weeks, the first Universal Epic Universe hotel will open to the public.
Universal Stella Nova Resort will debut on January 21st, 2025.
Image: Loews
One month later, Universal Terra Luna Resort will follow. That hotel’s grand opening will occur on February 25th, 2023.
So, we’re 13 months away from the debut of Universal’s next two hotels, and you know what that means…
Yes, Universal Epic Universe is probably just 18 months away from opening and possibly even less.
Photo: NBCUniversal
I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself, but the “What’s Coming to Universal Studios in 2025” article will be even more exciting!
Within the next 18 months, Universal Orlando Resort will add a new themed land, two new resorts, and an entire theme park!
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Main image: Universal Studios
